Giant Hughie ruled out

Star pacer Hughie Green has suffered a cracked pedal bone on the eve of the Brisbane winter carnival.

Dan Costello Photo

The rub of the green hasn’t gone the way of the Kiwi’s leading into the 2017 Brisbane harness racing winter carnival. Brilliant open class mare The Orange Agent was ruled out earlier this month owing to a hairline fracture of the fetlock joint which was quickly followed by the news that star filly Spanish Armada was out of the Oaks features with a leg bump.

And the news goes from bad to worse.

Giant pacer Hughie Green is the latest casualty after suffering a cracked pedal bone to his offside front yesterday (Thursday).

Naturally, trainer/driver John Cremin was left gutted by the news.

“He was out having a canter and just ticking over nicely for his assignment this weekend and he took an awkward step and I knew straight away it wasn’t good. Once the vet arrived, he confirmed the worst news possible.” A dejected Cremin said.

Hughie Green has been luckless in his past two starts but was heavily favoured to bounce back this weekend at Albion Park after drawing the inside gate in the Listed $25,500 Mr Feelgood Open Pace.

The Art Major gelding was being set for the Gr.2 $50,000 Garrards Sunshine Sprint next week followed by the Gr.1 $200,000 UBET Blacks A Fake the following week.

It’s a bitter pill to swallow for managing owner John Green given he shares in the ownership of both Hughie Green and The Orange Agent.

The Orange Agent was being set for the same features.

“Greeny has been around long enough to know that it can be a fickle game and unfortunately the timing couldn’t be worse, it’s just shocking luck.

“I know he was looking forward to having both compete in the upcoming features and suddenly, he’s left with no representation.

“He’s overseas currently and this is not the news I wanted to pass on, we’re looking at least twelve months on the sidelines at this early stage.”

Since arriving from New Zealand, Hughie Green has won 4 of his 10 starts while winning 3 from 6 at Albion Park.

Millionaire Bling It On and the regally bred Rocker Band are other casualties of the carnival.

The chances of New Zealand pacers landing feature race glory still remain high through the deeds of outstanding three-year-old fillies Delightful Memphis and Partyon in the Queensland Oaks while The More The Better looms as the horse to beat for the Queensland Derby on July 15.